Sunday, July 28, 2013

Caleb's request

Chapter 13 of the book of Joshua opens with God telling Joshua that not only was he old, there was still much land to be conquered.

The rest of the chapter spells out what tribes will occupy which territories.

In chapter 14, it tells of a man named Caleb, who was 85 years old and told Joshua that, when Moses and the Israelites first came upon the lands, Moses sent Caleb and a group of men off to explore the lands west of the Jordan River.  The other men were afraid, but Caleb stayed true to God and gave an honest report.  Moses promised Caleb and his people that the land west of the Jordan would be his.

Joshua granted Caleb's request.

And for once there was peace in that land.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

More destruction in Joshua's wake

Chapter 11 in the book of Joshua deals with King Jabin of Hazor--in those days, the kingdom of Hazor was the most powerful.

King Jabin hears of Joshua and the Israelites, so he gathers up all of his armies and of those in the nearby kingdoms.  Together, they move on to slaughter Joshua.  Only, the Israelites are much too clever and surprise attack him.

Nothing is left behind in their wake.  It is total destruction.

In chapter 12, it is a recap of the wars fought by Moses and then by Joshua.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Kill 'Em All

One may think that chapter 10 from the book of Joshua is where the heavy metal group Metallica got the name of their debut album: Kill 'Em All.  Because that's exactly what happens in that chapter.

A whole lot of killing.

The Israelites, with the help and guidance of God, literally destroyed all of the kings and soldiers and cities of the entire terrority in a single campaign.  At first, five kings rose up against Joshua and the Israelites by surrounding the city of Gibeon--the very city that offered themselves as slaves to Joshua in exchange for their lives--but Joshua heard about it and attacked them.  The five kings, being as cowardly as Oz's Cowardly Lion, hit in a cave.  Joshua sealed them up until their kingdoms were destroyed.  Then, the kings were let out and hanged.

The trail of destruction followed in their wake.  Those unbelievers of God were wiped out.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

The dangers of cheating on your spouse

Proverbs 5 deals with the ugly truth of adultry.

The long and the short of it is this: stay away from another man's wife and love your own wife.  Verses talk about the respect you'll lose if you cheat on your spouse, and having children by another woman is like being raised by strangers.

To go down the dark path of being unfaithful to your spouse is like being eaten alive by a dreaded disease.  Soon, you'll be on your deathbed, wondering why you did what you did.

Love your wife.  Your spouse.  This is the one you married and said vows to.  Be faithful.  Be honorable.

Being caught in the ways of wicked men will lead you to a lonely grave.